46 Fire Line (3)
Tarikan Lien.
Of course, this isn’t his real name, but anyway.
‘It would be better to talk while putting something in your mouth first.’
Since the dormitory was not too far away, I brought him to my room, and then I bought him food on the first floor and fed him.
By the way, the menu is a 300 stone set meal of the week.
Chicken stew, a few slices of bread, and a few roasted vegetables were everything on his diet, but that alone made him overjoyed.
However, if there is one thing that bothers me… … .
“I will never forget this grace!”
Whoo, what the hell is this clumsy barbarian talking about?
Still, I’m glad that I’ve come to my senses now, but if I’m going to do it, I’d do it better.
He lacked confidence and his voice was low.
We barbarians rejoice a lot more when someone buys us food.
‘… I eat well though. Is it because I starve a lot?’
Seeing him ate the food in a hurry, I secretly smiled bitterly.
It was because of one thing I learned from a short conversation after dinner.
‘I’m sure he wasn’t a newbie… … .’
Surprisingly, this man was older than me.
Even though it’s only a month apart.
He was called into this world a month before I opened my eyes from Bjorn’s body.
By the way, here is one more surprising fact.
“Wait, coming-of-age ceremony? Oh, I was really surprised at the time. Who would have known that there were ah, evil spirits among us?”
‘A demon has appeared… … .’
Coincidentally, this man and I had similar beginnings.
A demon at his coming-of-age ceremony.
In other words, there was an incident in which the player was executed by the hand of the chieftain.
And one question arises at this point.
‘How did he survive there?’
At the coming-of-age ceremony, your name is called.
However, when he wakes up, the evil spirit has no information about this body. So every time the chief was called, I had to count inside in a choking tension.
‘… But even if I didn’t tremble like that, didn’t I have any suspicions or anything?’
Well, maybe it is.
Or maybe he used a similar strategy to mine, so he wasn’t suspicious.
I was curious for some reason, so I secretly asked, but the answer that came back was a little futile.
“How many times were you called at the coming-of-age ceremony? I don’t know why you’re asking that… It must have been the last!”
I see It was the last turn.
Then you wouldn’t have to know what your name was.
Because there would be no warriors left.
All I can think of is that he was lucky, but he didn’t seem to even realize he was lucky.
That’s really silly.
“So what happened after that?”
“Uh, how are you? that is… Why are you curious?”
Why?
Because I am a demon too.
It’s data research, data research.
“Listen to me, and if the situation is just right, I might be able to help.”
I deliberately answered as vaguely as possible.
However, in his head, had he already recognized that I was helping him as if it were a known fact?
“Oh, that’s right! Then let’s talk!”
He did not hide his eyes of anticipation, and slowly began to tell his story.
From the day I woke up from the body of Tarikan Lien to today.
As I listened, it was hard to say, but it was strong on the self-sufficient side.
“… Did you say you couldn’t enter the labyrinth after the coming-of-age ceremony?”
“Hey, that couldn’t be helped! I got lost along the way… … .”
First of all, he did not enter the labyrinth.
I made excuses for getting lost, but… … .
‘That would be the part to filter from here.’
Perhaps the real reason was that fighting monsters felt like crazy.
On the other hand, it would have been very easy to break away from the over-excited barbarian horde.
The problem would be next.
Left in the city, he survived a week on stone bread, wandering around looking for a job, but nowhere did he write him down because he was a barbarian.
‘Actually, the biggest weakness of the Barbarian.’
Other races can work side by side.
For example, even if you go to a tavern, there are beauties who serve you, and you can occasionally find dwarves who work at a blacksmith.
In this way, they dig magic stones on the day the labyrinth is open, and they work and receive money during the month they spend in the city.
Unlike a barbarian who had no options other than combat.
“But you didn’t know that? It must be something you learn in the Holy Land, right?”
“That, that… Then for a while, I forgot! And oh, didn’t I say that before! I got lost and there was nothing I could do… … .”
So, it’s because you know it’s old fashioned.
At first, I was told what I was learning in the Holy Land, but I asked if it was a setting that I should have known if I had played the game.
‘But this is the answer… … .’
I’m slowly starting to get suspicious.
Is it true that ‘evil spirits’ are those who opened the ‘gates of the abyss’ on the last floor?
If you were that skilled, you should have known the Barbarian’s settings as well.
“… So can we keep talking?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Go on.”
Anyway, back to the main point of the story.
After several days of starvation, he sold his starting weapon for 50,000 stones.
I don’t know who the buyer is, but I’m really weak.
I know that the average barbarian starting weapon is 150,000 stones.
‘Well, the really important part is there.’
He had a penny, but somehow he spent a month saving it.
And the next time to enter the labyrinth.
In other words, the day I woke up from this body and decided to enter the labyrinth.
“her! Didn’t you go into the labyrinth that day? Are you sane?”
“But how do you fight monsters without weapons!”
No, I should have just walked in in the first place.
You must have been a player whose name reached ‘The Gate of the Abyss’.
Can’t you even judge that?
“Crab, besides, I had a stomach ache from what I ate that day!”
‘This really leaves me speechless.’
The head gets complicated.
‘I can’t honestly ask if I’ve ever played that game…’ … .’
Now that I think about it, I don’t even know if all of the demons, including this one, are from the same Earth as me.
Isn’t this a world where monsters exist and magic exists? It would also be possible to establish that there are some evil spirits who have been summoned from another alien dimension.
“Anyway, keep talking.”
It didn’t seem like there was anything special, but for once, I listened to the rest of the story.
Of course, it wasn’t much different from what I expected.
Novel from https://noblemtl.com
Money runs out, you get kicked out of the inn, and you fight hunger, cold, and sickness every day.
One day, when I found out about the existence of the dormitory where the barbarians were gathered, I went to see if I could get help, but for some reason I was rejected… … .
“Then you are so special! Everyone just looked at me strangely.”
To be honest, I’m more curious about him.
How could you survive for three months with such a fuss?
‘No, shouldn’t it be wonderful just to realize that I have to pretend to be a barbarian?’
Although he did not understand each of the options he had chosen, at the same time, a sense of relief bloomed.
If I had made a different choice then.
‘Perhaps I wasn’t too different.’
On that day, if you chose to run away because you were afraid of fighting.
“… But how much do you do here a day?”
By now I should have slept on the street rather than in an inn with windows and private baths.
Also, I couldn’t even eat stone bread that wasn’t soup, so I would have had to rummage through the trash—
“Ahh! So how was my story? Wasn’t that right?”
In this way, there may have been times when you had to vomit your own imperfections and depend on the sympathy of others.
I pondered one more time before answering.
And made a decision.
“It was definitely a sad story.”
“Then can you help me?”
The color of his face began to turn in an instant.
“No, of course the favor will repay. You may not believe it, but I know the labyrinth very well! If you go with me in the future, it will be of great help to you too!”
Any help?
‘Looking at that, I see that you have some knowledge about this world… … .’
I can even feel what kind of future the circuit of hope in his head is drawing.
You must be imagining going into the labyrinth with me and becoming a team.
I could have said something like that that I would really repay you otherwise.
Because he doesn’t know who I really am.
But if I cut it out in advance and draw a line—
“I will not go into the labyrinth with you.”
There is no such future I swear.
Novel from https://noblemtl.com
My nose is a stone man, but for one reason that I am a person in a similar situation, do I have to carry my luggage and enter the labyrinth?
Why did I do such a crazy thing?
“Didn’t you say that you would definitely help?”
Hearing the voice filled with a little bit of anger, I forcefully swallowed a bitter smile again.
“I will help you in a different way.”
“Another way?”
“Now, here are 150,000 stones. Buy a weapon with this and enter the labyrinth.”
When he took out three 50,000-stone coins and held them in his hand, his face brightened again.
“Are you really just giving this away? Thank you! I will definitely repay this favor!”
I don’t even expect to pay it back.
In the first place, it seems difficult to survive long with that mindset when you have this money.
The labyrinth I personally experienced was not a place where I could easily navigate just with game knowledge.
But I gave him 150,000 stones.
I handed him money, knowing that the act would do no good to me.
“Then you are tired, so why not go out?”
“Ah, that’s right! i get it! I’ll be back next time—”
“Don’t come.”
I lowered my voice and spoke once more so that he could clearly understand.
“Liyen’s son Tarikan, whether he loses or loses money, survives the labyrinth or makes a lot of money, even if things go well and he can afford to repay the favor—”
As I approached and grabbed his shoulder, he flinched.
A feeling of embarrassment passed through my fingertips, but I did not stop and continued.
“It is the same for any other reason. Leave this room today and don’t come back to me. And if you understand, answer me. Do you understand?”
“… i get it.”
After hearing the confirmation, he was semi-forced and kicked out of the room. And stretched out on the bed, pondering what I had just done.
A smirk came out.
‘Well, did I ever think of the past?’
Perhaps, it reminded me of a past when I desperately needed someone’s help.
But even considering that… … .
‘I’ve done an abominable thing to look at.’
Surely someone who is calculating will look at me like this and find it foolish.
Someone emotional will feel weak, saying that this is the only way to help.
Not all are wrong.
I had neither the coldness to step away from the line nor the recklessness to cross the line.
So I stopped tall on the drawn line.
‘I’m sure this is hypocrisy.’
I closed my eyes.
And I thought again.
Even if my actions today were nothing more than hypocrisy—
“Tarikan, live as long as possible.”
this was my best
Without money, I would never have the choice I am today.
***
the next morning.
I visited the Explorers Guild branch that I visited yesterday once more.
Unfortunately, the staff who responded were different… … .
“Five stars… … ?”
The female employee who checked the ID card changed her face in an instant like yesterday’s employee and responded kindly.
what the hell is this
Novel from https://noblemtl.com
Maybe the regional chief did something on my identity card?
I was curious, so I asked the staff, but I couldn’t get a definitive answer.
“Are you a star? Hey, did I say that?”
Well, come on now and pretend you don’t know.
I didn’t dig deeper either.
Well, it must be something like a password used only by the guild.
Something like being attached to a VIP or the truth.
I suddenly wondered which side it was dealing with, but… … .
‘Anyway, it’s my advantage.’
How about a VIP, and what if it’s a limited edition truth treatment?
The end result would be the same to receive a kind response.
“This is a list of teams that meet the criteria you mentioned. I’d like to check it out. Explorers?”
As of yesterday, I checked the announcement again today.
Almost unchanged except for a few new teams added.
‘Are you going to find a decent team today?’
While looking through the documents focusing on the added team, I stopped my gaze at one part.
It was because he saw a familiar name.
[3rd Floor Exploration – Hikurod Murad]
Preferred Exploration Area: None, to be decided at a later meeting.
Average Rating: TBD.
Current number of people: 1 Dwarf Warrior in melee defense (Level 7)
Recruitment number: 4 people (regardless of role group, may vary depending on team member composition)
*Equal distribution
‘The team leader’s name is Hikurod Murad?’
The same goes for the fact that the race is a dwarf.
I don’t think it’s the same person… … .
‘Is the original team disbanded?’
Whatever the reason, it’s not bad.
It’s a bit odd that there aren’t any members yet, but at least the team leader is a fairly reliable person.
I wonder what the numbered item you ate at ‘Blood Citadel’ was.
‘I’ll have to meet you once.’
After that, I filled out a short application form and submitted it to the administrative officer, then left the building and headed for the business district on that road.
Novel from https://noblemtl.com
Maybe tomorrow at the earliest, or the day after tomorrow at the latest, a meeting will be arranged.
‘Then let’s try some sage before then.’
I was sure
It’s definitely going to be the most enjoyable time I’ve ever had.
‘uh… But have you ever had fun?’
I decided not to worry about minor issues.